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Meet Pete

Peter Gardner, the founder of BABAO CACAO, has a diverse background in hospitality and chocolate-making. In 2008, Pete ventured into the world of chocolate, opening Chocolate Alchemy in Loughborough. Despite no formal training, he honed his skills through online resources and dedication. In 2013 he opened Cocoa Amore earning a reputation for crafting high-quality handmade chocolates in the Midlands.

Pete's latest venture, BABAO CACAO, stems from a unique insight gained during an industry presentation at Leicester College in May 2023, where he discovered the potential of cacaofruit juice. This inspired him to develop a sustainable beverage utilising the often-wasted cacaofruit pulp, aiming to introduce a novel product to the UK market. Throughout his journey, Pete has emphasized learning, innovation, and sustainability in the food and beverage sector. His experiences highlight the importance of adaptability and transforming challenges into opportunities. 

Pete aims to positively impact the entire cacao supply chain, demonstrating that businesses can effectively balance quality, sustainability, and community support.

Continue to follow our adventures in our Blog

Journey Of A Lifetime

1

Humble Beginnings

Pete’s journey into the world of chocolate began in 2008. Back then, he knew very little about our shared passion — but a series of Keylink videos covering the fundamentals soon changed that. Between shifts in busy bars, Pete taught himself the delicate craft of working with chocolate. In 2008 Chocolate Alchemy opened it's doors. Here Pete built a cult following for his delicious creations. In 2013 Pete opened Cocoa Amore in Leicester. Building on the lessons learnt from Chocolate Alchemy, he refined his new business into Leicester's go to for handmade chocolate and chocolate workshop experiences.

2

The Search

As the years went by, Pete faced a familiar challenge for every chocolatier during the warmer months: What can I offer that’s relevant, delicious, great value, and low in waste? He tried gelato — a hit with customers, but costly, with wastage on quiet days eating into profits. Dipped strawberries were another favourite but spoiled too quickly. Determined to find the perfect summer offering, Pete kept searching for something special.

3

Eureka!

Then, in 2023, inspiration struck. Invited to a tasting event at Leicester College, Pete discovered cacaofruit juice for the very first time. Instantly inspired, he rushed back to his shop, gathered his team, and declared he’d found the holy grail! Over the following months, he experimented relentlessly to perfect his recipe. With the help of a crowdfunding campaign and the incredible support of friends, family, and loyal customers, BABAO CACAO was born.

Our First Tasting (July 2023)

After months of developing our initial concept, Cacao Quench, we were ready to introduce it to the people of Leicester. As you can see their feedback told us we were onto something special.